by Odette Stone
“You can’t avoid me all night,” he told me as he tossed his gloves to the ice.
“I’m a lover, not a fighter,” I taunted. I stood my ground, but I didn’t drop my gloves.
“What happens if I do this?” Brody swung. The force of his blow snapped my head to the side, nearly taking me off my skates.
The Vancouver crowd, anticipating a decent fight, started to blow their horns and cheer.
“Tickling other players is a penalty,” I tasted blood on my lip.
He responded by hitting me again, only this time I managed to put up one gloved hand to ward off his blow.
I had forgotten how good a fighter Brody was. It took a lot of willpower to not hit him back. Instead, I went into defense mode, protecting myself as best I could. But he got in several decent hits that left me cut and bleeding.
Other players circled around us, watching, ready to step in.
I refused to engage. “Leave us,” I said to my team.
“Hit me back.” Brody grabbed me by my jersey and swung me around, nearly pulling me down.
“Screw you.” I shoved him off me.
His fists hailed down like hammers, and I grunted as he found the soft spots under my ribs. “Why won’t you fight me?”
“It wouldn’t be fair to you,” I taunted.
His next hit found my chin, making me bite my tongue and nearly knocking me off my skates.
Around us, the crowd booed.
I slowly regained my footing and tasted blood as I jeered at Brody. “You really should learn to hit like you mean it.”
He obliged, and his blow to my face made me see stars. I fell onto my ass and wondered for a second if I should just stay down.
My eyes found Mark in the box. He stood, silent and watchful. Beside him, Krista had her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide and scared.
It was one thing to not fight, but I couldn’t bear the thought of not getting back onto my feet. The booing stopped, and the entire stadium fell silent as I struggled to get back on my skates.
Brody circled around me, his eyes filled with rage. “You haven’t had enough?”
“Just want to make sure the world sees you for who you really are,” I gasped as pain punctured between my ribs.
Brody paused and then became aware of the disgust of the crowd around us. Hockey fans love a good fight, but only if it’s fair. Now they stood, silently judging Brody for his repeated assault against me.
“Screw you,” he muttered before picking up his gloves and skating to the penalty box.
My eyes found Mark Ashford up in the stands. When he nodded at me, I knew I had passed his test. Krista was no longer standing next to him.
The Buffalo coach motioned for me to exit the game. “You’re done for the night.”
Thank fuck. Still, I protested. “Coach.”
“I want a full health checkup before you leave.”
I swung open my hotel room door and found Krista standing in the hallway.
“What did I tell you about letting people hit you in your face?” She looked pissed.
I knew my face was a mess. Brody had done a number on me, and now every inch of my face hurt. “It looks worse than it is.”
“Bullshit.”
I held the door open, and she stepped into my arms. I kicked the door shut and swung her around until she was pinned against the wall.
She pushed against my grasp. “You need to hear what I have to say.”
I captured her mouth in a hot kiss as my hand traveled beneath her skirt. With delight, I realized she wasn’t wearing any panties. “We can talk later.”
She laughed and pushed against my chest. “I came here to talk.”
“Your lack of underwear says otherwise.” I savored the taste of her as my mouth traveled down her neck. “Later.”
Her hands pushed down my sweats, and I grunted when her fingers wrapped around my hard cock.
“Now we’re communicating,” I added.
She sounded breathless. “Why didn’t you hit Brody back?”
I hauled her up higher, and she wrapped her legs around me. None too gently, I held her by the hips and positioned myself at her entrance. All I could think about was sinking myself deep inside her. I kissed her on the mouth. “I was demonstrating restraint.”
She pulled back so her eyes could search my face. “You got hurt.”
I pushed forward with my hips and hissed as my dick slowly penetrated her wet depths. I worked to keep my eyes open and on her face. “Trust me. This makes me feel better.”
Her eyes looked glazed as my cock pulsated inside of her. “I thought it would be good for us to be apart for a while, so I’ve been trying to keep things casual.”
I fought the urge to buck up into her with abandon and found a sliver of control. “You’re just now realizing the error of your ways?”
She shifted her hips, pulling me deeper inside her. “I thought you might change your mind.”
I felt like someone had drugged me. The pain from the fight had been replaced with an addictive sensation that felt both sinful and pure. “I’m not an idiot.”
She held my gaze. “When you were getting hit tonight, repeatedly, I knew you were doing it so you could come back here. To be with me.”
“My plan hasn’t changed.” Enough talking. I moved my mouth over her neck, making her squirm in my arms.
She continued to talk. “The point is, I’ve changed my mind.”
I froze and lifted my head so I could look her in the eyes. “Do I want to hear this?”
She looked up at me, vulnerability and trust painted on her face. “I think distance is stupid. If you still want me to come stay with you in Buffalo until the season is over, I would be open to doing that. I want to be with you. No matter where you play.”
My heart started to beat so hard I thought it would burst. “Are you serious?”
Her hand traced the side of my face gently. “I’m serious.”
Joy and love exploded in my chest. I looked down at her. “You’re going to need to make an honest man of me if you want all of that.”
Her smile lit up the room. “What does that mean?”
“Marry me.”
She stared back at me, her face mirroring my own hope and love. “You’re crazy.”
I began moving my hips, relishing the friction of my cock pushing deep inside her. “I mean it.”
“I’m bossy.”
I thrust into her again, loving the sound it elicited from her. “I know.”
“And my family is crazy.”
I captured her mouth with my own. “I don’t really feel like talking about your mom.”
She pulled her face back. “Yes.”
My entire body froze as I stared into her eyes. “Yes?”
Her mouth moved to capture mine. “Yes. I want to marry you.”
My brain and heart almost couldn’t process the emotions that washed over me. My entire body went still as I looked down at her, searching for the truth.
She looked so beautiful I almost couldn’t handle it.
“I’m done talking,” she added cheekily.
I started to move my hips, driving myself into her with deep, long thrusts. “I’m not.”
Her head fell back and her eyes drifted shut. A gasp sounded from her lips. “Don’t stop.”
She felt so magnificent riding my cock I almost lost my head. “I love you.”
“Levi,” she shamelessly cried out as I worked to drive her towards her release.
“Say it,” I demanded.
She worked to focus her gaze on my face. “I love you.”
I lost all control at that point. I fucked her until she screamed my name, and then I carried her to the bed so I could bury my face between her legs until she convulsed on my face.
I only stopped when she squirmed, pushing my face away and gasping. “Levi!”
I stood up and yanked her legs to the end of the bed. I pushed them open and looked down at her open, pink pus
sy. I positioned myself again at her core, knowing I was about to lose my ability to speak. “You mean it?”
She sounded breathless. “Yes.”
Her entire body quivered as I buried my cock in her sweet, hot core. Her sobbing gasp shifted my focus, and I concentrated on fucking her into oblivion. She came once more before I lost control completely.
I came so hard I saw stars, and then I collapsed on the bed, rolling her over so she lay on top of me. My arms wrapped around her, holding her tight, as I worked to catch my breath.
Finally, I could speak. “I want to help plan the wedding.”
She lifted her head and rested her chin on my chest. “I’m not even sure we’re divorced.”
“A big wedding, Krista,” I told her.
Her smile cracked my heart open wide. “Okay.”
I stared down at the woman who had become my entire world. I didn’t know how I had gotten so lucky, but I wasn’t going to squander another second. “You’re willing to take a chance on me?”
She pretended to debate. “You’re high-risk, but I don’t think I have any choice in the matter. I’m in too deep.”
I drowned in her gaze. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
She leaned forward and planted a hot kiss on my lips. “You already have.”
Epilogue
Levi
July
I was coming back from my run but slowed down my pace when I saw the town car parked in front of our rented house.
Breathing hard, I took out my ear buds and watched as Mark Ashford got out of the car. We stood and stared at each other.
“Hey, Mark.” I stepped forward to shake his hand.
“Congratulations to you and Buffalo for winning the cup.”
“The Wolves could have made it if your goalie hadn’t gotten hurt.”
He looked around the small front yard. “Is Krista home?”
“She’s in New York, chasing a new client.”
He studied the house for a long moment before asking, “How is she?”
“They arrested Eduard. He pleaded out, so she doesn’t have to testify, and she’s been working hard at her comeback.”
“It won’t take her long, but this contract will help a lot in clearing her name.” He handed me a thick envelope. “I wanted to deliver the contract myself and officially ask if you’d like to become part of the Wolves.”
This conversation wasn’t a surprise. My agent and I had been in talks with the Wolves for weeks about their pending offer, but Mark’s personal gesture was a surprise. “That was unnecessary, but it’s appreciated.”
“I was surprised Krista wasn’t part of your negotiations.”
“She didn’t want to be my agent.”
Mark grinned. “She had enough?”
“She said she would either be my agent or my wife, but not both.”
“That’s fair. Does she know about my offer?”
I shook my head. “I didn’t want to get her hopes up.”
He nodded. “People rarely surprise me, but you did. I underestimated you.”
My tone was serious. “I needed to grow the fuck up.”
A smile touched his lips. “You needed some guidance, but you had a remarkable year.”
“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.” I worked to find the right words. “You took a chance on my demo.”
“I would have been an idiot not to.”
I gestured with my head. “Want to come in for a drink?”
He shook his head. “No, thanks. I have some fires I need to put out.”
“What kind of fires?”
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
I studied the envelope. “I would have done anything to be with her. I would have even given up hockey.”
Mark gave me an amused smile. “I know. But I was never going to not sign you this fall.”
Our eyes met. “You played me?”
He turned and opened the back door of the car. “I motivated you.”
I grabbed the door. “You heading to New York?”
His eyes crinkled with his smile. “Need a lift somewhere?”
She sat in the lobby of her hotel, unaware of me. I stood and watched her as she typed on her laptop with concentration.
I moved to stand in front of her, but she didn’t look up.
“Do I need to jump off the roof into the pool to get your attention?”
She lifted her head, and her eyes widened in surprise. “Don’t you dare.”
I leaned down and dropped a kiss on her mouth. “You trying to boss me around again?”
She gave me a look that went straight to my dick. “I never stopped.”
“We should talk about this in your hotel room.”
She shut her laptop. “Not before you tell me why you’re here.”
I had been waiting for this moment for a long time. “How do you feel about going home?”
She paused and then said slowly, “The Wolves?”
“They’re offering ten years.” I handed her the contract and watched as she eagerly flipped through the pages.
“This is incredible, Levi.” She lifted her face. “Your new agent did amazing.”
“You want to move back home this fall?”
She flew into my arms. “Yes.”
I wrapped my arms around her, knowing I would never get tired of this feeling. “I’m sorry it took me this long to get here.”
“I’m not.”
I pulled back to look at her.
“I mean it,” she gave me a shy look. “I’m happy.”
I captured her mouth with my own. “Can we go to your room now?”
She laughed. “Yes.”
I watched her pack up her bag. “Now we can start booking venues for the wedding.”
Krista had never quite gotten on board with the whole big wedding thing, but between myself and Bea, we were winning her over. “Our big, fat, public wedding?”
I slung her laptop bag over my shoulder and put my arm around her. “That one.”
“I’m still willing to elope.”
“Bea would kill you.”
Her arm wrapped around my waist as we walked over to the elevator. “We’re still married. Remind me again why are we having a wedding?”
I kissed her temple as we stood waiting for the elevator. “Mainly for the honeymoon sex.”
Her laugh was music to my heart. “You’re trouble.”
I reached down again and kissed her on the lips this time. “You love it.”
Note from Odette
Dear Reader,
I had a much different book planned when I started to write High Risk Rookie, but then Levi was born and he totally took over my story and did his own thing. As a character he was incredibly hard to control and keep in check, so I could really relate to Krista!
I sincerely hope you loved reading this book as much as I loved writing it. I have big plans for coming books and I can’t wait to dive into my next project. It’s been patiently waiting!
If you join my mailing list, in the welcome email you will also find a link for the bonus chapter and my free short hockey novella, Hook My Heart. This novella is exclusive for my subscribers!
If you are interested, you can sign up here. VIP Mailing List.
And if you are already a subscriber - look for the release email of this book - there will be a link attached for the bonus chapter!
Keep on reading for a short excerpts from my other two hockey books, Puck Me Secretly, and Home Game.
All my love,
Odette
Books By Odette
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My Fiancé’s Brother: Book 1 of duet
My Fiancé’s Brother: Book 2 of duet
My Fake Fiancé: Stand alone
My Donut Princess: Free Novella
THE VANCOUVER WOLVES HOCKEY SERIES
Puck Me Secretly
Home Game
The Penalty Box
High Ri
sk Rookie
Goalie Trouble
Hook My Heart: Free Novella
SPIN OFF STANDALONE
Dark Russian Angel: A mafia romance
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Excerpt from: Puck Me Secretly
A Vancouver Wolves Hockey Romance
Prologue
“Well, Dave, we got breaking news that hockey player, Max Logan, assaulted his own teammate, Joseph Flanynk. We have all seen footage of the fight that spilled out of the Minnesota Marmot’s own dressing room. They reported that Flanynk has undergone facial surgery and he will not play for the rest of the season.”
“Jim, did you see this fight? It has gone viral across the sport’s world and would make Conner McGregor flinch. Never, on or off the ice, have I ever seen a fight that extreme or violent.”